The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-11-24
TO PROVE AN ALIBI.
Tho Defense in the Coughlin Case
Commenced.
One of the Lady Witnesses Throws Her
Arms Around His Neck and
Hugs Him Like Little
Child.

Contrary to the usual custom conrt
convened at $3.50 this morning, Judge
johnson desiring to put in as much
time as possible.
William Sphinx, % drayman, testified
as to seeing John Coughlin in the later
part of January and in February at the
Metropolitan Hotel.
Julius Peck testified that he ate din
ner at the Metropolitan Hotel on Fer-
Tuary A. and on that day after dinner
he paid his bill to John Conghlin.
Mrs. Kate Flanagan, of Flyria, and
cousin OF John Coughlin, testified to
seeing John at their house in the early
part of February; that he came there
to see her daughter, who was dying
with consumption. But could not give
the exact date.
Louise Flanagan testified that she
lived at the Metropolitan Hotel, Ely
ria, until the 10th of January, when she
went home to wait on her sister, and
that John Coughlin called at their house
on the 3rd of February to see her sick
sister.
Alex. Dumas, express driver at Elyria,
testified to seeing John Coughlin in
the gentleman's room of the hotel on
January 20; also on February 2 in the
hall of the hotel and on February OH
the street in Elyria.
d. G. Aller testified that he saw
John Coughlin in the Metropolitan Ho-
tel on February 3, and that he bought
cigars of him.
i. T. Williams, of Elyria, treasurer
of Lorain county, testified as to seeing
john Coughlin on the morning of Feb
ruary 4 on the streets of Elyria.
The testimony so far given by the
defense would, if reliable, prove an ali
bi beyond a doubt for John Coughlin,
but the character of most of the wit
nesses examined yesterday and today
rather had tendency to weaken than
strengthen the case. 1t is not believed
the State made case, but before the
defense finishes they themselves may
make d case for the State.
YESTERDAYS PROCEED INGs.
RAvENNA, o., Nov. 22.-The trial of
Coughlin was resumed at 1870 o'clock
yesterday. Four deputies escorted
Coughlin to his seat after the jury had
taken their places. The defense called |
over fifty witnesses, all of whom were
duly sworn. AS they left the room
many expressed their sympathy for the
prisoner by shaking hands with him
and one lady threw her arms about his
neck and kissed him affectionately.
The first witness called was A. NJ.
Fitch, clothing dealer of Elyria. He
testified that on January 2S, he sent |
three suits to Rays hotel Shortly after |
that he went down to the hotel himself |
and fitted one of the suits to ayoung |
man. He recognized that suit as the |
one Coughlin was wearing, but could |
not swear that he was the man to whom |
he fitted the suit.
Orry Nichols said that during Febru
ary Coughlin came to his market al
most every day,
A. J. Patter said that the last Of Jan
uary or the first of February Coughlin
began coming to his store and came
there constantly until some time in
March.
Il. Fauihauber testified to seeing
Coughlin very often between January
81 and. February s. Upon crosse exam
nation the witness became very much
confused and cOntradicted himself re-
peatedly.
Matthias Fredericks, a bartender OF
Elyria, was the next witness. He was
examined by Judge Johnson and
testified that he took drink |
with Coughlin at the bar of the
Metropolitan House on the night of |
February 3, and bought tobacco from
him at the same place the following |
day. This testimony, if substantiated,
would prove complete alibi for |
Coughlin, but upon cross-examination |
by the prosecution Fredericks broke |
completely down, and so contradicted
himself as to entirely destroy the value |
of his testimony. Several other wit
nesses were put on the stand, but moth
ing new or of Importance was devel-
oped.
1t is almost universally conceded
that the State has made out very
weak case against Coughlin and the
chances were good of his escaping con-
viction. Their witnesses, with one ex-
ceptiou, brought forward no important
evidence. The defense has made a
grave mistake in employing such wit
nesses as those of today, and have in
iured rather than helped Coughiin's
case.
They Preferred Fresh Air.